Mazak hosts new AutomatiON event

May 9, 2018

AutomatiON, a new event designed to encourage machine users to ‘switch on’ to the benefits of automation, has been scheduled for June at Mazak’s European headquarters in Worcester.

The event, which will include automation solutions from a range of providers, including Mazak, Fanuc, RoboJob, Indunorm, Hydrafeed and Iemca, is designed to highlight the wide range of automation options available to machine users across Europe and has been organised by Sadik Atay, European strategic development director, and Mike Sykes, automation systems manager at Mazak.

AutomatiON, runs from 19-21 of June 2018 and will feature eight different automation solutions that can be easily utilised to increase productivity and profitability.

Robot machine-tending solutions on display will include the Quick Turn 250MY TA-12/200, a ‘plug and play’ turning centre and robot which has been developed by Mazak and RoboJob, using a Fanuc M-10iA robot controlled by Mazak’s SmoothG CNC. In addition, Fanuc will also be demonstrating its collaborative robot capabilities, in partnership with a Quick Turn 250MSY.

One of the highlights of the show is likely to be the Variaxis i-300 AWC, an integrated 5-axis automation cell developed for lights-out machining of complex workpieces in high mix, low volume production. The machine has a compact footprint and a field expandable magazine that can hold up to 505 tools and is capable of machining applications up to 350mm diameter x 315mm with a maximum weight of 60kg.

Continuing with automation in the 5-axis category, the event also features the Variaxis j-600/5X with an ultra-compact Indumatik toolchanger storing 250 tools. This combination offers a high-performance yet cost-effective solution to reduce set-up time and unit cost for complex workpieces.

Also on display will be Mazak’s MPP (Multi Pallet Pool) which is being demonstrated with an HCN 4000 horizontal machining centre. The MPP, specifically designed for lights-out running, offers high-speed pallet transfer and an economic footprint – up to 40% smaller than a comparable Palletech system – and is controlled using the SmoothG CNC, which is equipped with Mazak’s Smooth MPP software application.

For automotive manufacturers and subcontractors working with high-volume, large lot production, the Multiplex W-200Y + GL-100 combines a twin-spindle, two-turret machine with a superfast gantry loader for optimum ultimate productivity. The GL robot features a new rack and pinion drive system offering rapid rates of 75/160m/minute in the A/B axis, yielding up to 25% reduction in load/unload time.

Bar feed solutions will be represented by the Iemca Boss, an automatic bar feeder capable of loading bar lengths from 1-6m. The bar feeder has bar change times as low as 18 seconds which reduces headstock idle times and increases lathe productivity.

Richard Smith, European group managing director at Yamazaki Mazak commented: “We firmly believe that further automation is vital if machine users are to continue to improve their productivity and enhance their competitiveness. This is a European event that is designed to encourage machine users to switch on to the potential of automation solutions, because even the smallest machine shop can benefit from a simple robot machine-tending solution.

“The automation solutions on display from Mazak and our partner companies offer best-in-class productivity solutions and I would urge all machine users to put this date in their calendars.”